Personal Statement Intro

[banana_phone]

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Hi everyone,

Starting to work on my PS to apply next cycle! Feels like its coming up quick

My question is....does my introductory paragraph need to talk about "why medicine" ? I had a draft that started that way but my advisor seemed to think that starting with this anecdotal story didn't fit the overall theme.

As a non-trad, especially, is it ok to start with something non-medical and then explain why medicine latter? I want to give my statement some context. Specifically, I grew up in poverty which prompted me to pursue a career in social justice education, but life/experiences made me realize medicine is what I need to do with my life.

Ok to start with perspective, move to my other career exploration, and then decision to do medicine and how I'm sure its right for me? Or do I need to address why medicine right away...

 

[ChE04]

The first sentence doesn't need to be "I chose to go into medicine because..." but by the end of the whole thing you need to have sold the reader on "why medicine." That is the sole purpose of your personal statement. So to answer your question, your first paragraph should be setting the stage for addressimg this theme, and everything you write in the essay should be building on it. Be careful adding superfluous information explaining your career path, except as it relates to your theme (why medicine).

 

[68PGunner]

Your introductory paragraph needs to wake the readers and get their attention!

 

[popopopop]

I got a Princeton Review book on medical school personal statements. Speaking from my experience, the vast majority of personal statement started out with some anecdotal story. The best personal statement I've ever read started out comparing medicine to traditional Indian dancing. She tied it wonderfully at the end with an analogy of the intricacy of dancing to medicine. My own essay will start off with my experiences working with refugees (completely a coincidence to the Syria crisis).

I think I've only read one where he started off explicitly stating why he would make a good doctor. I distinctly remembering his stats were on the very high end also. I think if your essay is coherent and not jumping all over the place, you'd be ok. Don't get caught up writing a biography, keep it focused on why medicine and a few good reasons. Have some people here read it if you have any doubts.

 

[banana_phone]

Thank you all for the tips! I appreciate it. This may well be the hardest piece of writing I've ever done!